Zika virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitos. ZIKV can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy and can cause microcephaly and other birth defects. Effective vaccines for Zika are yet to be approved. Detection of the ZIKV is based on serological testing that often shows cross-reactivity with the Dengue virus (DENV) and other flaviviruses. Currently, identification of ZIKV infection is usually done by i) testing the patient’s serum sample to detect ZIKV RNA using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), ii) testing patient’s serum sample for the presence of the NS1 protein antigen or iii) serological assays to determine the presence of virus-specific immunoglobin antibodies (IgG and IgM) by the use of ELISA assay. But ELISA-based assays show cross-reactivity and poor sensitivity. The gold standard for ZIKV RNA detection is RT-PCR, involves expensive medical facilities and skillful technicians. However, the plaque reduction neutralization test are executed to quantity neutralizing antibodies of the virus-but show high accuracy only after day 7 of the disease onset. Therefore, the development of POC assays which has the ASSURED (affordability, sensitivity, specificity, user-friendly, rapid and robust, equipment-free and deliverable) criteria defined by the World Health Organization are topmost priority. The core objective of this thesis is to find inexpensive, sensitive, precise, and fast assays for the specific diagnosis of ZIKV suitable for resource-constrained settings.